Machine for cooking frankfurters, buns, and the like



July 24, 1951 R. A. SCHULTZ 2,561,538

MACHINE FOR COOKING FRANKFURTERS, BUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1948 I 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig.

Rudolph A. Schultz INVENTOR.

July 24, 1951 R. A. SCHULTZ 2,561,533

MACHINE FOR COOKING FRANKFURTERS, BUNS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 24, 1948 s Sheets-Sheet 2 Rudolph ASchu/fz INVENTOR.

July 24, 1951 R. A. SCHULTZ MACHINE FOR COOKING FRANKFURTERS, BUNS AND THE LIKE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Aug. 24, 1948' 1,: Inllllllllll EJiilllll Fig.6.

Rudolph A. Schultz INVENTOR.

1 BY Wan/6% non awn; 3%

Patented July 24, 1951 M CHIN OR-CQQK G E AN F RTEB BUNs; AND THE LIKE RudolplnA. .Schultz, Hagerstown Md;

Application August 24, 1948, SerialNo. 45,887

Claims.

1' This invention relates to'new and useful improvementsinheating-machines and-the primary objectof the present inventionis to provide a machine for heating; cooking or roasting-hot dogs, sausages; buns and other such foodstuff.

Another important object of the present in,- vention is to provide a machine for-heating; or roasting edibles including a rotary member, a pivotal bun support, and novel and improved means engaging and" rocking said bun support as the rotary member is rotated to release a bun into a suitable receptacle.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a rotary support including a group ofprongs adapted to receive meat such as-hot dogs and embodynovel and improved stop meansengageable withthe articles on theprongs to releasethe same as the support is rotated at a predetermined rate of" speed.

Another feature of the present invention is to provide a roasting and heating; machine for food stuff and embodying in its construction a group of associated elements which are quickly and readily assembled or disassembled in a convenient manner permitting the same to be cleaned and retained in asanitarycondition for contin-ued use.

Another feature of the present inventionisto provide a heatin machine including anoven:

and" embodying novel and improved means f-or' receiving coffee pots, containers and the like whereby the same will remain desirably heated until ready for use.

A- further object of the present invention is to provide a machine of the aforementioned character that includes a novel and improved food retaining container so-designed as to retain food placed therein in a warm, fresh condition;

A- still furtheraim of the present'invention'is to provide'a machine for heating hot dogs; buns and the like that is simple and practical in construction, strong: andreliable in use, neat and attractive in appearance, small and compact in structure, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, efficient and-durable in operation, and otherwise well adaptedfor the purposes for which the'same is'intended.

Other objectsand advantages reside in the details oi construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like 'partsthroughout, and in which:

Figure'l is a group: perspective'view ofthe heating machine constructed in accordance with the present inventiony the heating coils and food receptacle removed therefrom;

Figure 2 isa-group perspective view of-the food receptacle, the drainage screen and closure f-or the food receptacle that is used in conjunctionwith the present invention;

Figure -3- isa longitudinal vertical" sectional viewtaken substantially on the plane of section line- 3-3--- of Figurewl andshowin the elements assembled;

Figure 4 is a transverse horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the plane 'of section line 44 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is-a fragmentary,longitudinal vertical? sectional view taken substantially-- on theplaneof'section line 5+- 5 of -Figured; and

Figure 6 is afragmentary front elevational view or the present inventionand illustrating the manner in which the hot dogs are released from the supporting prongs.

Referring nowto the drawings indetail, where-z in for the-purpose of illustration, there is discloseda preferred embodiment of the present invention, the-numeral: I 0 represents a hollow, cylindrical casingto the inner surface-of which there is fixed a suitable insulating material l2 to which there isfixed a plurality of heating coils M which are preferably activated byelectricity although any suitablemeans may be employed by gas, oil, gasoline or the like.

The Supperopen end of the casing I B is provided with a removable closurel 6 having a plurality 'ofpreferablyfannular recesses 18 the-bottom walls of-whichareprovided-With a plurality of spaced vent openings or slots 20.

Pairs ofsubstantiallychannelshaped guide trachs 22= are secured" to the underside of the closure crapper-wall Iiiand each pair thereof slidably receive a closure plate 24 having openings 26 that will register-with the openings '20 inthebottom'walls ofthe recesses l8 to permit heated airto passoutwardlyof the casing l0 in-order to heat containers, cans, coffee pots or the like which are placed in the said recesses I8.

A suitablefinger grip 28 is fixed to each slidable closuredfand are movable in opposed arcuateslots al'l' p rovided in the casing l0 and the depending flanged portion 32 of the closure; 16 sothatthe plates 24 may be moved for controlling the passage of air through the openings-20;

Fixed toand depending from the bottom wall 34 of' the casing I I]; isa plurali-in' of circumferentially spacedlegs 36 having substantiallycylindrical bearin feet or rollers 38.

" A driven shaft m projects upwardly through an aperture 42 provided in the bottom wall 34 and is journaled for rotation in a bearing 44 fixed to the bottom wall 34. The lower end of the driven shaft 40 is positioned in a suitable reduction gearing housing 56 that is operatively connected to the drive shaft W of a preferably electric motor 50.

Projecting upwardly from the reduced substantially square portion 52 of the driven shaft 48, is an externally threaded rod 56 that extends through the upper wall or closure I6 and receivably engages a nut 56.

The numeral 58 represents the rotary-member or support that is used in conjunction with the present invention generally, including upper and lower ring elements 60 and 62 towhich there is fixed a plurality of circumferentially spaced prongs or pointed elements 64 that are inclined relative to the ring elements 60, 62 for a' purpose which will later be more fully apparent.

The leg portions 68 of a pair of criss-crossed U-shaped members iii are fixed to the innerperiphery cf the upper ring element 60 and the central portions of the members ID are provided With opposed substantially square openings 72 that receive the square portion 52 of the driven. shaft to whereby the members 58 will be supported in the shaft MI for rotation therewith. A plurality of hanger straps M depend from the members Ill and are braced by apertured straps it that receive the shaft 4!] to prevent tilting movement of the member 58 relative to the shaft 4!].

The lower free ends of the hangers 74 are fixed to an inner ring '18 that removably engages U-shaped clips 89 at the inner ends of a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial arms 82 that are fixed to the inner surface of the lower ring element 62.

The numeral 84 represents a group bun supporting members that are used in conjunction with the present invention generally. Each of the members 84 includes a depending hanger arm 86 the upper end of which is turned inwardly to provide a loop 88 that detachably engages the ring 18. The lower free end of the hanger arm 86 terminates in a channel portion 90 that pivotally supports the central portion of a concavo-convexed plate 92 having upstanding teeth 94 at the side edges thereof.

A counter weight supporting arm 95 depends from the plate 92 and holds a weighted mass 88 that urges the plate 92 to its carrying position.

A substantially rectangular entrance opening I is provided in the casing if! and is closed by an arcuate door IUZ, supporting a transparent panel I84, that is hinged to the casing I e as at I06. The bottom wall 34 is also provided with an opening I98 that communicates with the opening Hill, as shown best in Figure 1 of the drawings.

An arcuate, substantially channel shaped trough H0 is disposed in the casing III and is supported on the bottom Wall 34 of the casing II]. The spaced end walls H2 of the trough III! terminate adjacent the openings I M and I08.

A substantially rectangular receptacle or storage container IM having an arcuate forward or outer wall H6 is disposed in the opening I 98 and a portion of the opening I 00. Inclined flanges H8 project outwardly from the open upper end of the receptacle I I l and are slidably received in inclined notches I26 formed in the casing ID that communicates with the opening I00.

A screen or drainage unit I22 is detachably supported in the receptacle H4 on the bottom Wall thereof and rises therefrom.

The open end of the receptacle H4 is closed by an arcuate concavo-convexed door or closure I26 supporting a transparent panel I28. Trunnions or pivot pins I 30 project outwardly from opposite sides of the door I 26 and are pivotally received in openings I 32 in the sides of the receptacle I I4. The door I 26 is normally supported in a closed position by an angle bracket I34 carried by the inner wall of the receptacle H4.

Pivotally secured to the inner surface of the casing Ill, is a substantially rectangular pressure plate I36 that is positioned between the ring elements fill and 62 and adjacent the opening I00.

Detachably supported in one of a selected group of apertures I38 in the casing Ill and a bracket Mil fixed to the casing I0, is a stop pin I 42 that will engage the arms 96 depending from the members 92 during rotation of the support 58.

In practical use of the present invention, hot dogs, meat cakes or the like are applied to the prongs 5 and buns, rolls and the like are placed on the plates 2. As the shaft ll] and member r 58 rotate, the hot dogs will be ejected or forced from the prongs $6, due to the inclined position thereof, and the hot dogs will fall into the receptacle I M, it being understood that the closure I25 will normally be raised.

As the member 5% rotates, the stop pin I42 engages the arms 96 of the members 84 rocking the plates 92 to release the buns from the plates 92 whereupon the same will also drop into the receptacle He.

The food stuffs being disposed in the receptacle IM, it is merely necessary to close the closure 525 in order to retain the food stuffs warm and fresh, the excess grease or the like draining through the screen unit I22.

In view of the foregoing description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, What is claimed as new is:

1. In a heating machine, a casing, a rotary member disposed within said casing, means for rotating said rotary member, a receptacle removably supported by said casing, a plurality of meat supporting elements held stationary on and rotatable with said rotary member, means sup ported on the casing for removing meat from said elements as the same approach said receptacle, bun supports rockably carried by said rotary member adapted to receive a bun, means sequentially engageable with said bun supports for releasing a bun therefrom simultaneously with the releasing of meat from said elements as the bun supports sequentially approach said receptacle, and means for heating said casing.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said means for removing meat from said elements includes a pivotal ejector plate carried by said casing, and disposed above said receptacle.

3. In a heating machine, a rotary member including a ring, a power means operatively connected to and rotating said member, a hanger am having a terminal hook received on said ring, a bun support pivoted to said arm for rocking movement, a counter weight supporting arm depending from said bun support and urging the bun support to its carrying position, and a stop pin engageable with said counter weight supporting arm during rotation of said member for rocking the bun support to release a bun therefrom.

4. The combination of claim 3 and a further ring embracing said first mentioned ring, means carried by said further ring for supporting meat thereon, and means removably securing said further ring to said first mentioned ring for simultaneous rotation of said two rings as a unit.

5. The combination of claim 4 wherein said last mentioned means includes a plurality of circumferentially spaced radial arms having U-shaped end portions receiving said first mentioned ring.

RUDOLPH A. SCHULTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 8 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Brice June 14, 1898 Yerby et a1 Aug. 1, 1899 Phelps Jan. 8, 1918 Kivlan July 2, 1918 Becker Apr, 29, 1919 Ford July 22, 1919 Sunderland et a1. June 7, 1927 Hammond June 28, 1927 Shroyer Dec. .25, 1928 Fernald Aug. 6, 1929 Grady Sept. 23, 193-0 Saunders et a1 Jan. 27, 1931 Lin Kenauger Apr. 19, 1932 Kennedy Mar. 5, 1935 Santillan Mar. 29, 1938 Zerr Jan. 3, 1939 Freloar Dec. 20, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Germany Feb. 28, 1912 Great Britain Aug. 10, 1945 

